Credit: Paradox Interactive
*Europa Universalis V *launched this week, ushering in a new era for one of Paradox Interactive’s marquee grand strategy game series. The European game developer and publisher has established a niche for itself by creating complex strategy games that let players control a kingdom or region around the world and micromanage its economic and political affairs.
This style of grand strategy gameplay comes in many flavors. The Victoria series is aptly set during the Victorian Era, Hearts of Iron games take place during World War 2, and *Stellaris *is set in a space-faring far future. With the release of Europa Universalis V, each of Paradox Interactive’s most notable grand strategy game franch…
Credit: Paradox Interactive
*Europa Universalis V *launched this week, ushering in a new era for one of Paradox Interactive’s marquee grand strategy game series. The European game developer and publisher has established a niche for itself by creating complex strategy games that let players control a kingdom or region around the world and micromanage its economic and political affairs.
This style of grand strategy gameplay comes in many flavors. The Victoria series is aptly set during the Victorian Era, Hearts of Iron games take place during World War 2, and *Stellaris *is set in a space-faring far future. With the release of Europa Universalis V, each of Paradox Interactive’s most notable grand strategy game franchises has received a new entry within the last decade.
As such, I wanted to take the time to rank them all. If you’re interested in Paradox’s grand strategy games but unsure which to try first, my ranking can help you decide.
5 Victoria
Most recent release: *Victoria 3 *(2022)
Victoria is a grand strategy game series set during the Victorian era. Like most of Paradox’s grand strategy games, the main goal is to control a nation and see it thrive during that era. The Victoria games specifically emphasize population and economy management. The Victoria games are definitely some of the toughest in the Paradox catalog to approach and understand.
Admittedly, as I’m more aggressive and war-focused in my grand strategy games, the Victoria games don’t quite appeal to my focus. That said, *Victoria 3 *basically offers a perfected version of the series’ core formula for those who like delving into the weeds and making complex strategic decisions. This wouldn’t be the grand strategy series I’d recommend playing first, though.
Systems
Released October 25, 2022
ESRB T For Teen due to Mild Blood, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Partial Nudity, Use of Drugs
Developer(s) Paradox Development Studio
Publisher(s) Paradox Interactive
Engine Clausewitz Engine
Multiplayer Online Multiplayer
4 Hearts of Iron
Most recent release: Hearts of Iron IV (2016)
Of all of Paradox’s grand strategy games, this is the one I’ve spent the most time watching gameplay of online. During my college years, videos from Hearts of Iron IV YouTubers were often playing in the background while I studied. I don’t find it as enjoyable to play moment-to-moment as the grand strategy games above it on this list, though.
Hearts of Iron IV turns 10 next year as well, so it’s the franchise most in need of a new entry now that *Europa Universalis V *is coming out. Still, Hearts of Iron IV does hold up, and the plethora of DLC it has released makes it quite a complete package. If the war aspect of grand strategy games is what’s most appealing to you, then Hearts of Iron is your best option.
Systems
Released June 6, 2016
ESRB Everyone 10+
Developer(s) Paradox Development Studio
Publisher(s) Paradox Interactive
Engine Clausewitz Engine
Multiplayer Online Co-Op
Number of Players 1-32
3 Stellaris
Most recent release: Nexus 5X (2024)
While Paradox Interactive’s other grand strategy video game series can all blend together if you don’t look at them too closely, *Stellaris *is way more distinct. That’s because it tasks players with managing an intergalactic empire rather than having them play as the same nations in different historical eras. Because of its radically different settling, Stellaris is the black sheep of the bunch.
Whereas many sci-fi strategy games are more traditional 4X games inspired by the likes of Sid Meier’s Civilization or XCOM, Stellaris stands out for being unabashedly complex while still offering a rich sci-fi sandbox to play in. It doesn’t have a direct sequel yet, but did spawn a spin-off titled Nexus 5X. A full-fledged *Stellaris 2 *that’s even better could catapult it higher on this list.
Systems
Released May 9, 2016
ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ due to Violent References, Mild Language
Developer(s) Paradox Development Studio
Publisher(s) Paradox Interactive
Engine Clausewitz Engine
Multiplayer Online Co-Op
Number of Players 1-32
2 Crusader Kings
Most recent release: *Crusader Kings III *(2020)
One of the two series I’d consider flagships for Paradox Interactive, Crusader Kings is their medieval grand strategy game. That’s a really fun era to play around in, and Crusader Kings also thrives because it focuses more on making the characters at the center of its strategic simulation more customizable and memorable.
*Crusader Kings III, *in particular, is a fruitful source of memorable emergent gameplay. I would actually find myself getting attached to the characters as I played and would be sad if something happened to them. While it’s still very complex and tough to learn, Crusader Kings III is one of the best entry points into the strategy game genre, so this series is ranked highly.
1 Europa Universalis
Most recent release: Europa Universalis V (2025)
Europa Universalis confidently holds the crown as Paradox Interactive’s most iconic and important franchise. It’s also one of the most complex, but that’s because it feels like a melting pot of all the other series on this list. Europa Universalis V specifically brings in mechanics from Victoria 3 and Crusader Kings 3 to truly make it feel like the ultimate grand strategy game.
It’s set in the time between what the Crusader Kings and Victoria series cover, as Europa Universalis games let you guide nations from around the world out of the Dark Ages, through the Renaissance, and into modern history. Europa Universalis IV is one of the best strategy games ever made, and Europa Universalis V already looks like a promising successor once Paradox works through some launch-day woes. As the most holistic grand strategy game series of the bunch, Europa Universalis is deserving of the top spot.
Systems
Released November 4, 2025
Developer(s) Paradox Tinto
Publisher(s) Paradox Interactive
Grand strategy is a daunting but rewarding genre
Grand strategy isn’t an easy genre for new players to break into. That said, Paradox Interactive is definitely the publisher whose catalog I’d recommend checking out first if you want to get into the genre. While its track record with games outside this space, like Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, is spotty, it has been a roll for the past decade or so with its grand strategy titles.
If you’re playing a grand strategy game for the first time, Crusader Kings III is your best choice. After that, try *Stellaris *or Europa Universalis V. Once you do learn the ropes, though, you have decades of games and DLC from several different series to immerse yourself in.